Fasting - Keto Thyroid

#1

I’m 55, born with a congenital form of hypothyroidism along with some other issues of thermoregulation - lifelong thyroid supplementation with very low body temperature, bradycardia, and many allergies (food, molds and minor seasonal). I have never tolerated exercise well. I went Zero Carb to lose weight which I believe contributed to lifelong inflammation and pain, and it has been an answer to my prayers even though the weight loss has been minimal. In 6 months since I started, with weight loss as my initial goal, I’m leaning toward it being the other way around. Once the inflammation subsides, and it has greatly to where I can now walk, I’m hoping the weight will follow, as I have 55 years of accumulated and unsuccessfully addressed inflammation. I have only been a normal range weight on low calorie (500 or less daily, moderate protein and low fat) during two extended periods in my life.

Where my temps have been in the 95/96 degree range when off thyroid, since zero carb/keto, the early morning temps are consistently close to 98 now and the weight has finally started to drop at a snails pace (and weight). My caloric intake is about 1200 calories daily with 50 gm protein and 100 gm fat. I don’t count calories, but track my intake. I eat to satisfy, and I always seem to land in this range. Where I try to eat primarily fully grass fed meats, where the Omega 3:6 ratio is close to 1:1, I’m thinking I could reduce the omega 6 by replacing more of the beef with sardines, and adding MCT oil.

I recently did a 5 day salted water fast, lost 13 pounds (I was already keto adapted and have always had a high salt intake (adrenals). Since the fast I’ve barely lost any weight in the last month. I have 70 lbs to lose, at this rate it’ll take me 15 years, I’m not complaining, as I’m happy to be able to walk short distances pain and cane-free. However, I’m thinking to eliminate all fat, drink broths and small portion of protein (to sustain muscle) daily until this excess weight is gone.

Any insight on pitfalls of long term fasting with is appreciated the community may have for me. MCT oil, or any other suggestions,

Thank you in advance,

(Jean Taylor) #2

I’ve only done one ef so far and that was about 5 days and have very little personal experience. There is a whole sub forum here on fasting though and it looks fairly common.

You might look up the complete guide to fasting by Jason fung and Jimmy Moore, fung has a couple books but that one seems to have a bit more detail on extended fasting. There is also the obesity code podcast with Jimmy Moore and Megan Ramos and fasting talk with Jimmy Moore you might find helpful.

(Donna ) #3

Fasting 3 days a week would be more sustainable, either 3 days in a row or alternate fasting days, MWF or Sun/Tues/Thurs.

You MUST feast in between your fasts, or you really will mess up your metabolism. Don’t avoid fat.

Here’s a fasting podcast you should listen to. Also, read up on the fasting boards, here.

#4

I personally find it much easier to do long fasts when I feast the day before. I started Keto exactly a year ago and have been doing fasts between 1 -5. 5 days. I have Hashimotos. I do find I get really cold on any fast after a day. I do not measure body temperature but maybe I should although I usually am warm in the morning, it is at bedtime that I am cold. I have lost about 35 lbs in a year but have about that still to lose. I have been stalled since September but found that I lost clothes sizes until at least December. I have not done much fasting since then and in general I only seem to lose when I fast but then I am able to maintain whatever weight I am 48 hours after the fast ends. Use the fasts to lose and regular normal keto to maintain. My first fast I lost 6 pounds and after that only about 2-3 per fast. It did seem to get less each fast

#5

Thanks for saying, “Use the fasts to lose and regular normal keto to maintain,” because it’s really what I’m sensing I’ll need to do along with increasing movement (walking) every day until it’s significant to stimulate fat burning.

Fasting incrementally, say 10 lb increments regardless of how long or short the fast lasts.

(Jean Taylor) #6

I wouldn’t try to base fast duration on lbs lost. I would start more slowly and try to get used to listening to what your body is telling you, especially with a thyroid problem. When you’re fasting you should get waves of hunger sometimes usually around times you would normally eat, but you should feel good over all. I would get used to knowing how I should feel then use that to determine length.

I believe fung said on average people at his clinic lost .5lbs a day (someone correct me if im wrong) assuming you lost .5lbs a day you’re talking like 20days. 20 days is certainly possible but not necessarily safe knowing you have other medical issues. Unless you have a Dr working with you that would make me nervous.

I also think while I may be able to fast 20 or 30 days it if i set my mind to it it would be hard to get myself to start that long or a fast regularly.